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Dezynadog’s
grooming for a living roadshow in Luton
Putteridge Recreation Centre, Luton was the venue for Dezynadog’s
Grooming For A Living Roadshow on 6th October 2002. It was the
ideal place for the 300 Groomers who gathered from all parts
of the UK to attend the popular event.
At 10am Carol Flatt made her welcome speech and apologised for
some changes to the advertised programme but, due to many last
minute problems, some of the grooming demonstrations had to
be altered. Unfortunately these things do happen but luckily
there were other people ready to step in.
First on the agenda was Heidi Anderton of Absolutely Animals,
London. She highlighted the importance of education and qualifications,
and gave some useful advice on how to run a successful grooming
business. Then, the College of Animal Welfare gave a talk about
First Aid in the Grooming Salon. While this was going on the
grooming demonstration started.
Ann Flynn and Donna Hogan demonstrated the correct use of crackers
on the show Yorkshire Terrier. Unfortunately, the pet trim of
the Yorkshire Terrier had been cancelled due to the demonstrator
being ill. However a pet Yorkie was plucked from the audience
and Ann and Donna stepped in and also showed how to trim the
pet yorkie. Once again, Rodney Eastall (Daedal) demonstrated
how to clip the Airedale Terrier and how to handstrip the show
Airedale. Rodney has been exhibiting this breed for 10 years
and his demonstrations are always popular at the GFAL seminars.
Lee Cox of Kaston Kennels, Somerset was due to bring an American
Cocker, but unfortunately his bitch came into season and could
not be taken to the seminar. However, not wanting to disappoint
the audience he brought along some very friendly and laid back
Persian Cats instead. Cat grooming is still a specialised service
in the grooming industry, but if all cats were as well behaved
as those models, everyone would be cat grooming! When one of
the delegates heard about the cancellation of the American Cocker
demonstration they rushed home and returned with their own American
Cockers and were delighted to have Lee and Anita Bax groom their
dogs.
Pet trimming of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel was demonstrated
by Pat Hutton and Sandra Harper. This is the type of demonstration
Groomers love as they see many of this breed in their salons.
They come in all shapes and sizes and coat texture. Pat and
Sandra showed two different ways of trimming this breed, depending
on the coat type. One was clipped and the other was trimmed
using a coat king. Unfortunately the person who was due to bring
the show Cavalier was unable to attend. It would have been interesting
to see yet another technique on how to trim this breed. The
Coat king was also a popular tool with Charmaine Ennis Whelan
who showed how it could be used to thin out the thick coat of
the pet Golden Retriever.
As well as helping with the American Cocker demonstration, Anita
Bax demonstrated how to trim the pet Shih Tzu. This breed, as
well as the Lhasa Apso, is becoming very popular.
However, owners rarely want to keep the full coat, so Anita
showed how to put these types of dog into a short but attractive
style, with expert clipping and scissoring techniques. As if
that was not enough, she also brought along a Toy Poodle in
show trim to demonstrate the work involved in the care of this
coat.
The afternoon was just as busy as the morning, with the City
& Guilds practical examination demonstrations once again
presented by Diana North, Jane Pavely, Paddie Paws Dog Grooming,
showed how to trim the West Highland Terrier. Heidi Anderton
trimmed the Cocker Spaniel and the Miniature Poodle was trimmed
by Linda Doherty of Fields View Kennels, Fenstanton. As usual,
this was a very popular part to the show with lots of audience
participation. Once the demonstration was finished Diana returned
to her advice desk and was inundated with more queries from
Groomers interested in qualifications. Other grooming demonstrations
that afternoon were the pet Old English Sheepdog by Jan Newdick
of Dezynapet and show trimming by Gill Mills (Mophill). Pauline
Friedlander, also from Dezynapet, demonstrated the clipping
of the Scottish Terrier. The show Cairn Terrier was demonstrated
by Jane Keeves and Maxine Bennett (Seveek & Maxiveek affixes)
and the Irish Water Spaniel by jane Wakerley (Gallyhill) And
to round off the day, once again, Lee Cox demonstrated his skill
of scissoring a Standard Poodle.
As usual the Dezynadog team were kept busy as their well stocked
trade stand and Cliverton Insurance Brokers were there to deal
with Groomers’ queries on insurance. A new stand at the
GFAL Roadshow was from Northern Groomers, who produce the UK’s
only grooming trade magazine. It was a very worthwhile day for
them as they were kept busy all day with new subscribers, keen
to keep in touch with the professional grooming industry.
A great day was enjoyed by all at what was probably the busiest
GFAL show yet. Don’t miss the next shows planned near Bristol
and the M62. For more details telephone Dezynadog on 01553 816400.
Tricia McQuire
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